January 26, 2013

Chocolate Valentine Kiss Cookies

It's almost Valentine's Day! So, have you made some sweet treats for your sweetie yet? I've whipped up these totally adorable Chocolate Valentine Kiss Cookies. Aren't they cute?

But I have a confession to make ...

I didn't make these for my sweetie.

No. I shared the love of these tasty little cookies with someone else. But it's okay, and my sweetie is okay with it.

See, I have a new baking project. For me The Kitchen is My Playground has always been about more than cooking, baking, and writing about it. It's also an opportunity to do something I love ... cook & bake ... that I would do no matter what ... and turn it into an opportunity to give back to the community. Even if it's in just a small way.

And so I began this newest baking project back in October, and have continued with a new sweet treat each month since.

Who is the recipient of my confections, you ask? Well, it's not just one person ... it's the group of children in residence at a place simply known as The Shelter, ... our local battered women's shelter. The Shelter strives to empower victims of domestic violence by providing emergency shelter, advocacy, and support on their journey to an abuse free life. And in so doing, at any given time, they are typically providing shelter to about 20 children.I am happy to share this tiny token of love with these children.

For this month's treat, I was specifically asked to make Valentine cookies. No problem there ... I was definitely game for that! So I put on my thinking cap and came up with this sprinkle-covered adaptation of the classic peanut butter blossom cookie. But with chocolate. These Chocolate Valentine Kiss Cookies. 'Cause in my book, chocolate beats peanut butter any day.

I got myself ready with unwrapped Hershey Hugs and Kisses and an assortment of pretty Valentine sprinkles, ...

... whipped up some tasty chocolate cookie dough, rolled the dough into balls, and coated each ball completely in sprinkles.

Then I just baked them up and popped a Kiss (or Hug ... but the Kisses work better) in the center of each one.

So cute! I just love how fun they look in a group with all the different sprinkles.

Now, Hugs taste just great in these cookies, but they tend to melt into little pools of zebra stripes instead of staying intact like the Kisses do. See?

It's a cool look ... but just wanted to make you aware of the melting. You know, full disclosure and all.

Whatever your Valentine's plans, I wish you and those in your heart the blessings of many sweet treats. Happy Valentine's Day! And, ... share the love.

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg yolk, milk, and vanilla; mix until incorporated. Reduce mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture until just combined.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.

Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls and roll each ball in sprinkles, completely covering the dough ball with sprinkles. Place balls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. With your thumb, gently press down into the center of each ball just slightly to make a very small indentation. Chill the baking sheet of dough balls in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees until set, about 12 minutes.

After removing cookies from the oven, immediately place a Hershey Kiss or Hug in the center of each cookie. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes, remove to a cooling rack to cool.

Makes approximately 25 to 30 cookies.

Enjoy!

Please enjoy these other chocolate sweet treats from The Kitchen is My Playground ...

These are absolutely darling and what a wonderful way to give back to your community, I'm sure it means a lot to those kids. I've taken treats I make from my blog to a soup kitchen...it's a great thing.

Your cookie idea is so cute, and the reason behind their creation is an inspiration. I think I'll try the cookies, and try to include in packages being sent to our troops overseas. Thanks for the ideas!

Oh they are gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing! We would like to invite you to share as many of your ideas as you would like at our link party. It starts tomorrow (Thursday) 1/31/13 and goes through Tuesday each week. We hope to see you there!Thank you!Joye & Myrnathebusybhive.blogspot.com

I love this idea! I love all your sprinkle options! I just started a new link party and would love for you to come over and share your post or any social media sites. Talkin’ About Thursday - http://designeddecor.com/talkin-about-thursday-link-party-5/ DeDe@DesignedDecor

These cookies are super cute, and I love the fact that you made them for a local women's shelter. I'd love it if you would share these at my Saturday Spotlight linky party. :) http://angelshomestead.com/saturday-spotlight-2-features/

Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured later this evening!I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me tomorrow night for Make the Scene Monday #60!

Okay, Tracey, I have printed out this recipe. These are so cute. My husband loves Hershey Hugs and so do all my grandchildren. I like the dark chocolate Kisses best, so I guess I'll make some of both! Thanks for this recipe. Your blog is great!

I love these! I found these on pinterest and I am definitely making them for my son's 1st grade Valentine's day party. I make the peanut butter blossoms every year for Christmas, and have had so many 'melted puddles' I've learned to POP THE KISSES IN THE FREEZER FOR 10 MIN PRIOR TO PUTTING THEM ON HOT COOKIES. Trust me- works every time :)

Thank you so much for visiting Homa Style and linking your Valentine cookies. Almost too pretty to eat...almost!Have a wonderful Valentines Day!Remember to visit again on the last Wednesday of February for the Inspire Me link party.

Gotta tell you, I mixed up a batch of this cookie dough last night and took it out our the fridge this morning. My 4 yr. old grand daughter, whom I keep every week day while Mama works, and I had a ball making these cookies. We used only hugs and used multi-color sprinkles. They are delicious and when Mama came by to pick her up, she and my other daughter, who had also stopped by took home to share with the rest of family. They truly are good. Thanks again!

I made these for a work pitch in today and they went over SO well. Plus, they tasted delicious. I made half of the batch with different sprinkles, and the other half plain. they were so easy to make, too. Two thumbs up from me!

I love your comments. I read and appreciate each and every one. Thank you so much for visiting The Kitchen is My Playground! {NOTE: Captcha word verification is on to turn away the 'spambots' ... I apologize for the commenting inconvenience!}